The Lehigh Acres Fire Dept. responded with two engines, a ladder truck, an ambulance and command staff to a working residential structure fire located at 877 Sunflower Ave. in Lehigh on Tuesday night, Dec. 22. According to Fire Marshal Ken Bennett, the fire was reported at

10:15 p.m. with units arriving on scene 10 minutes later to find light smoke showing from the eaves of the home. Approximately 100 gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire, Bennett said.

Prior to the arrival of the fire district, John Fritz, a neighbor who lives at 677 Hawthorne Ave., discovered the fire inside the home and had used a garden hose to put water on the fire through an open window in the front of the home, Bennett said.

The occupants arrived home about the same time as the first arriving LAFD units and assisted with entry into the secured home. Origin of the fire was noted as the Christmas tree with a probable cause of excessive heating or electrical malfunction of the lighting. Bennett said there were no injuries and damages were estimated at around $35,000.